Join BAMPFA Director and Chief Curator Lawrence Rinder for Hannah Ryggen: Fighting Fascism with Art, a discussion of MATRIX 278: Hannah Ryggen—the first US presentation of the artist’s antifascist works from the 1930s and ’40s since a solo touring exhibition was organized by the Smithsonian Institution in 1955.

Hannah Ryggen (1894–1970) lived through some of the most horrific times in recent memory and bravely made art that challenged the cruelties and injustices of her day. In Nazi-occupied Norway, she wove tapestries critical of Adolf Hitler and fascism. In later works, she addressed subjects such as nuclear power and the Vietnam War. The exhibition will include five of the artist’s most important pieces, each of which is a powerful testament to the struggle against abuses of power and injustice. 

Lawrence Rinder is director and chief curator of BAMPFA. Though he will be retiring in July, he will continue to be involved with BAMPFA as a guest curator. MATRIX 278: Hannah Ryggen will be his first post-retirement exhibition. Larry lives in Ukiah, in Mendocino County, where he is building a small farm; composing music with his partner, Colter Jacobsen; and working on a novel.

This event is the fourth installation in our new biweekly conversation series for Curator’s Circle members at the $1,000 level and above. The Virtual Tea Room series is a collection of online events that offer insights from and Q&A’s with our curators, who will discuss upcoming projects, share their process, and give you a look at what makes them tick. Please join us online at 4 PM every other Thursday for these intimate conversations. 

Space is limited, and reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Registered participants will receive an email with a secure event link on June 9. 

Please contact Director of Special Events Masha Berek at mberek@berkeley.edu for more information or to register.